Former Bafana Bafana star Benni McCarthy has refused to rule out the possibility of taking over as the next manager of the South Africa national team. He says he would gladly jump at the opportunity if it comes and relishes the dream of leading the country to the FIFA World Cup.
At the moment, the Bafana job is currently available after Molefi Ntseki recently got dismissed following his failure to lead South Africa to qualify for the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations finals scheduled to take place in Cameroon.
McCarthy has impressed as Amazulu boss since he was appointed manager of the club, leading them up to third place in the PSL. As a result, the 43-year-old has been named among the likely favourites to succeed Ntseki.
Responding to those links, the Amazulu boss says he won’t turn down the chance if it comes his way.
“As a former player and a manager now you would want to be in charge of the best teams in the country where you are managing,” McCarthy told BBC Sport.
“If that comes with the responsibility of taking your national team that’s been struggling – it is something that I wouldn’t rule out. As much as I love the day-to-day antics about managing players working on a daily basis and improving them my national team is struggling so if there is a chance for me to take the reins and take the South African job I would think about it.
“I would really think hard about it because nothing would make me prouder than to manage my country and qualify us to a World Cup tournament. That would be one of the highlights of your managing career even though it is such a short space of time but it is something that I am thinking about and would consider if the opportunity comes.”
Having spent a good part of his playing career in the English top flight with Blackburn Rovers and West Ham, McCarthy adds that his ultimate goal is to coach a team in the Premier League.
“My main priority is that I want to get back to England – I want to manage in the Premier League one day or I want to manage a Championship club” added McCarthy.
“After playing there I have had that taste of what the best league in the world is about and what is required of you so that is mouth-watering and that is my biggest desire.”
With the FIFA World Cup qualifiers just around the corner, it is expected that SAFA would name a new manager anytime soon.